Professional Spotlight – K.O. Herston

Thursday, March 21st, 2019

On the blog, we will occasionally have Professional Spotlight interviews with the ETCA professionals to give you an opportunity to learn more about them, why they’re involved with Collaborative Law, and what it’s like to work with them.

The first spotlight features

Attorney K.O. Herston

1. Tell us about your education history, how long you’ve been practicing, and major focus areas of your practice.

I graduated from Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee College of Law, and have practiced law since 1997. My practice is devoted exclusively to Tennessee family law.

2. How did you become interested in Collaborative Law and why did you decide to become a certified Collaborative professional and incorporate this approach into your practice?

I learned about collaborative divorce from some colleagues. It interests me because I’m always looking for a better way to resolve cases for my clients. I knew it was growing in popularity, so I wanted to be a part of that growth in East Tennessee.

3. When clients meet with you, what should they expect? Tell me about your office setting, any procedures they need to be aware of, and what your general style and approach is to working with clients.

I begin by educating my clients about the law and the pros and cons of the myriad options they have. I make sure the decisions they make are informed ones. My clients also work closely with my paralegal and my assistant.

4. What successes have you seen in Collaborative Divorce or agreed divorce in general? What have you noticed over the years about the positive impact you see on clients and families when they utilize this approach.

An agreed divorce is always the best way to go. The data shows there is less postdivorce conflict among former spouses who were able to resolve their divorce by agreement. The reduction in postdivorce conflict is best for their children, their mental health, and their finances.

5. Tell me a little bit about your personal background – where you’re from, any information about your family you’d like to share, and general hobbies and interests you have.

6. If there’s anything else you’d like potential clients to know about working with you or why you think Collaborative Law is a great approach, share here.

I have first-hand experience with divorce, first as a child when my parents divorced, and later as a husband when I divorced. I understand the anxiety the hurt, and the anger. I empathize with my clients’ situations and have dedicated my professional life to helping them weather the storm and come out stronger on the other side.